When you speak of Mr. Putney you will find my loyalty as strong as ever.
We kept up our correspondence to the last. I am glad to express again
my debt to him, and I certainly should not wish to be omitted from any
group of Mr. Putney's friends.
When I went to St. Johnsbury Academy at Mr. Putney's invitation I was
inexperienced and needed a good deal of friendly advice. He had a rare
gift in that way. His own devotion, unselfishness and conscientiousness
were contagious. He was a good teacher and still better trainer. But the
moral effect of living and working with him was the best thing about the
Academy. I believe all the excellent staff of teachers felt just as I
did. So much so that our intimate association gave us more than the
pupils could get. Some of us enjoyed too the fine, generous
neighborliness of both Mr. and Mrs. Putney.
In administrative councils his judgment never lost sight of the central
object--the cultivation of each pupil to the most effective Christian
manhood and womanhood. What higher mark than that can be set by any of
the theorists and innovators of the present day education? The typical
"New England Academy"--and St. Johnsbury was the ideal among them--can
bear comparison with the latest and best of schools in the highest
object of education. Probably it needed its own environment which could
not be duplicated elsewhere. All honor to it and to him who was its
exponent during my own years so happily given to its service.
Sincerely yours,
FRANKLIN A. DAKIN.
The first impression which Mr. Putney made upon me when he joined our
circle of teachers in the Academy was that of a man of strength, high
moral purpose and rare teaching ability, an impression which grew to
a certainty as the years went on and he became our principal. His
courtesy, unfailing kindness and good fellowship made it a pleasure to
work with and under him, and I shall always remember him as a true and
valued friend and a great teacher. "What more can we desire for our
friends than this," as was said of that other beloved teacher, Edward
Bowen of England, "that in remembering them there should be nothing to
regret, that all who came under their influence should feel themselves
for ever thereafter the better for that influence."